West Brom icon lands permanent role with national side after hugely successful Euro double header

Former West Brom hero and curent academy coach James Morrison has secured a permanent role as part of the Scotland men’s national team coaching set up.

The 37-year old made over 300 first team appearances for the Baggies between 2007 and 2019 before hanging up his boots and taking up a role behind the scenes. He has been working as an academy coach at the Hawthorns since October 2019 and was also part of Sam Allardyce’s first team coaching staff during the former England bosses spell in charge from 2020 to 2021.

Morrison is linking up with another former West Brom boss in Steve Clarke, who managed the club from 2012 to 2013 and who the midfielder worked under. The 46-year old has the Scots on track to qualify for Euro 2024 in Germany having taken maximum points from their opening four games which included a home win over Spain and victory away to Norway.

Clarke first asked Morrison to take up the role for their last two matches earlier this month which saw them beat the Norwegians 2-1 thanks to late goals from Lyndon Dykes and Kenny McLean before picking up another three points at home to Georgia in a match that was suspended for almost two hours due to the heavy rain. He replaces former Scotland coach Steven Naismith who has left the role to focus entirely on his job in charge of Scottish Premiership side Hearts which was also made permanent last month following a period in interim charge for the ex-Everton and Norwich City striker.

Morrison will continue his role coaching with the West Brom academy alongside his duties with the Scotland national side. Despite being born in Darlington and representing England at youth level, the midfielder was eligible to represent Scotland and would win 46 caps and score three goals during his international career with the dark blues.